Skills partnership is back for third consecutive year
Educational charity EDT and SSEN Transmission have partnered for a third consecutive year to continue its skills partnership training programme for young people
It builds on two years of successful collaboration that has already helped to inspire more than 2,800 young people across Scotland.
The second year saw the partnership engage with 1,400 young people from 46 schools across Angus, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands & Islands and Argyll & Bute through a range of Industrial Cadets programmes.
Through hands-on STEM challenges, long-term project work and direct engagement with industry professionals, pupils developed key skills, gained accredited Industrial Cadets awards, and learned about subject choices and pathways that lead to exciting career opportunities within the energy sector.
Over the past year, students participated in a range of activities including virtual Primary Challenger workshops, face-to-face Secondary Challenger experiences, and Bronze and Silver Industrial Cadets projects.
The programmes gave young people opportunities to explore coding, sustainability, energy transmission, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving, while working alongside mentors and volunteers from SSEN Transmission.
The partnership has been particularly valuable for young people in remote and rural communities, helping them to connect with industry professionals and gain experiences that may otherwise be difficult to access.
EDT and SSEN Transmission will this year focus on delivering virtual interactive Challenger Experiences to primary school children and Explorer Days: Girls in STEM to secondary school students. These fully immersive sessions focus on STEM learning, sector awareness and career insights.
The team will also introduce a new roadshow programme, delivering a full-day structured project challenge where students work from concept to solution, developing technical, teamwork and problem-solving skills with support from industry mentors.
Julie Feest, CEO at EDT and Industrial Cadets said: “The impact we’ve seen over the last two years demonstrates the importance of connecting young people with real-world STEM experiences and industry professionals.
“Year three brings an exciting new chapter for our collaboration, where we’ll be able to reach even more communities across Scotland, ensuring that young people have the support, inspiration and opportunities they need to fulfil their potential.”
Nicky Gadsden, external skills and STEM engagement manager for SSEN Transmission, added: “Supporting young people in the communities we serve is an important part of our commitment to building a lasting legacy through our investment in the north of Scotland’s electricity transmission network.
“Through our partnership with EDT, we’ve been able to connect thousands of pupils with engaging STEM experiences, helping them develop new skills and broaden their understanding of the opportunities available within the energy sector.
“We’re proud to continue working together for a third year to inspire the workforce of the future.”
The continued partnership reflects a commitment to ensuring young people are equipped with the skills and confidence needed to thrive.